At this point I kinda feel like we have to pick it up.. and even if we don't want him to I think ownership has already made up their mind. He brought in Gay, is willing to part with bargnani (even tho he seems like a great 3rd option scorer off the bench).. we gotta see what else he can do to bring us to the next level. imo it wouldn't make sense to go in another direction now. So, sure.. pick it up. We have all of next year to see if we like his direction.

At this point I kinda feel like we have to pick it up.. and even if we don't want him to I think ownership has already made up their mind. He brought in Gay, is willing to part with bargnani (even tho he seems like a great 3rd option scorer off the bench).. we gotta see what else he can do to bring us to the next level. imo it wouldn't make sense to go in another direction now. So, sure.. pick it up. We have all of next year to see if we like his direction.

Kind of what I am thinking.

We'll see what happens with Lowry and Gay by next year (Lowry has just next years team option and Gay is a player option for one year beyond next season).

We'll see how Bargnani plays out.

We'll see how JV and Ross develop.

We'll see next season if DD was worth his extension.

We'll see what Casey does with real talent (Casey's contract will also be up).

If the sum of all these scenarios work out against the Raptors, then good bye.
If everything is looking sunshine then a real debate will begin.

At this point in time I see very little reason not to give the 3rd year extension.

I've always been a pretty steadfast supporter of BC.
He's made some obviously questionable (boneheaded) moves but has also made some solid moves that will help this team in the future regardless of if he is here or not. I voted for yes on the extension.
I look at him alot like Brian Burke with the Leafs. I'm not a hockey guy by any means, but from what I understand he brought in some good pieces that will absolutely be around if the Leafs ever become relevant again.
Same with BC. With Lowry, Gay, JV, lesser extent Demar and TRoss etc. he's brought in pieces that are condusive to a winning system and are long-term-positives in a winning system.

I think the outcome of Bargnani will still ultimately determine his legacy here regardless of the other obviously good moves he's made.

"That was Nasty right? Cocked that Joint back and banged on 'em." -James Johnson

Also, as much as a lot of fans don't respect BC, I feel like he gets a lot of respect from the players on this team and players around the league. Players we've had always say this organization is top-notch and that BC takes care of them. And now that he has brought some respectable players in who also trust that he will make this team better, I think he is a guy that has the ability to bring in some good additions once this team starts winning. With all due respect to Bosh, I think its much more attractive for players to play along side guys like lowry and gay.

Yes. It really looks like he has a plan now, and depending on what deal may happen in the next week including Bargnani, that may or may not back up my answer.

Having 'the guy' in Rudy Gay. Having surrounding core pieces in Amir, Derozan, Fields, Ross. A big man with potential to be a star in JV, our point guard for the future in Lowry, but we lack the inside presence - which could be Valanciunas down the road - that scores on the inside, and rebounds/defends. Bargnani might be that guy, but we've experience way too much "woulda, coulda, shoulda" with him.

Letting BC walk now may bring in a GM that will have problems/issues with the coach, might undergo his own plan, etc etc.

Stefanski apparently would be the replacement, but I'm not sold on him to be the guy.

Like I said, at this moment, pick up the option, but depending on what happens with Bargnani, I'll keep my mouth closed until than.

If he moves Bargnani for something awesome, yes. If Bargs is not moved, no. Any temptations for him to fall in love with Bargs must be removed immediately. The only way to do so is not pick up his option.

ďThe saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority.Ē - Martin Luther King

If he moves Bargnani for something awesome, yes. If Bargs is not moved, no. Any temptations for him to fall in love with Bargs must be removed immediately. The only way to do so is not pick up his option.

Bargnani could prove to be a solid contributor if he is willing to take the bench role long-term. Otherwise, agreed. Whatever happens in the next week with Bargnani, will give us the true answer.

I voted yes....I think it's worth giving him another year to see what he can do with what he's started. I mean, he doesn't necessarily have to make another blockbuster, but if the team as built now is one the board expects to make the playoffs next year, and I think it is such a team, they will pick up the option. Then if next season is a disaster, I'd expect they won't extend him. I also think stability is a good thing with management, and that we're a horribly undesirable situation for a new GM...no flexibility, no draft pick this year, and it'd be a serious job to blow up this team with all the contracts on the books.
*basically the trade saved his job....it made the team more talented and possibly playoff worthy, filled a position of need, gave us a new franchise face, and perhaps most importantly for saving BC's job, reduced the urgency to trade Bargs. Now with Gay here, he can hold onto Bargs for a deal he likes, which is also something a new GM(who didn't draft him) may not be patient enough to do...

I voted yes....I think it's worth giving him another year to see what he can do with what he's started. I mean, he doesn't necessarily have to make another blockbuster, but if the team as built now is one the board expects to make the playoffs next year, and I think it is such a team, they will pick up the option. Then if next season is a disaster, I'd expect they won't extend him. I also think stability is a good thing with management, and that we're a horribly undesirable situation for a new GM...no flexibility, no draft pick this year, and it'd be a serious job to blow up this team with all the contracts on the books.

It actually works out quite well for the Raptors if things go terribly wrong.

Except DD, JV, Ross, and Acy there are no contracts on the books past 2015.
So if next season goes horribly wrong there is a lottery pick (2014) and BC is gone along with Lowry and possibly Gay.
Then in 2015 the team is stacked with expiring contracts and another lottery pick.

The team is in a good situation should the 'good' or the 'bad' happen.

Also, as much as a lot of fans don't respect BC, I feel like he gets a lot of respect from the players on this team and players around the league. Players we've had always say this organization is top-notch and that BC takes care of them. And now that he has brought some respectable players in who also trust that he will make this team better, I think he is a guy that has the ability to bring in some good additions once this team starts winning. With all due respect to Bosh, I think its much more attractive for players to play along side guys like lowry and gay.

I agree, and it's a big reason to keep him, at least for the short term. Any replacement has to command similar respect from people around the league, both players and execs, and finding a guy like that right now, when any replacement would come into a very difficult situation (if they wanted to make changes), is unlikely.

It actually works out quite well for the Raptors if things go terribly wrong.

Except DD, JV, Ross, and Acy there are no contracts on the books past 2015.
So if next season goes horribly wrong there is a lottery pick (2014) and BC is gone along with Lowry and possibly Gay.
Then in 2015 the team is stacked with expiring contracts and another lottery pick.

The team is in a good situation should the 'good' or the 'bad' happen.

Yeah, whereas now if they didn't pick up his option, they'd stick a guy with a bad situation for him before really even knowing what this team is. The new GM would still have to let next season play out to evaluate the team, and would still likely have a really hard time doing anything to change the team until next draft at the soonest. It really makes no sesne to make a change now.

If he moves Bargnani for something awesome, yes. If Bargs is not moved, no. Any temptations for him to fall in love with Bargs must be removed immediately. The only way to do so is not pick up his option.

Well, that's pretty black and white. You'd want to see Colangelo's option picked up if he trades Bargnani for a worse player on a similar contract (Let's say, Tyrus Thomas, for the sake of argument)? Similarly, you'd want to let go of Colangelo if he keeps Bargnani, makes a couple depth moves, and the team goes on a crazy streak from here until the end of the season with Bargnani as a big part of that?

Don't get me wrong, Bargnani is still the first big contract guy I'd want to trade on this team. But moving him to save his job should be the last thing anyone wants BC to do.

In a mere span of 2 weeks many of you have gone from attempting assassination on Colangelo and Bargnani, to considering keeping them.

Can we not make such rash proclamations all the time or is this mandatory Raptor fan behaviour? Do people even have opinions or do you just like to complain?

a lot has changed in 2 weeks... with the moves made would u seriously think its a good idea to get rid of BC now???? so much has changed much more could change so changing opinions is quite natural I think.. gimme a break.

a lot has changed in 2 weeks... with the moves made would u seriously think its a good idea to get rid of BC now???? so much has changed much more could change so changing opinions is quite natural I think.. gimme a break.

I haven't even given my opinion on this yet. I'm just taking a shot at the general fanbase as it's pretty ludicrous that these mood swings happen at least 48 times a year. On the same topic...

In a mere span of 2 weeks many of you have gone from attempting assassination on Colangelo and Bargnani, to considering keeping them.

Can we not make such rash proclamations all the time or is this mandatory Raptor fan behaviour? Do people even have opinions or do you just like to complain?

Sig wrote:

I haven't even given my opinion on this yet. I'm just taking a shot at the general fanbase as it's pretty ludicrous that these mood swings happen at least 48 times a year. On the same topic...

Well I think you should call out those whom you feel to be flip-flopping, as I don't believe you can really take a shot at the 'general fanbase' because it is such a broad, diverse cross-section of people and opinions. And yes, there are real opinions amongst posters here.

Anyone who has been on this forum for any amount of times knows that there are PLENTY of real opinions, and PLENTY of people willing to back them up.

"That was Nasty right? Cocked that Joint back and banged on 'em." -James Johnson

In a mere span of 2 weeks many of you have gone from attempting assassination on Colangelo and Bargnani, to considering keeping them.

Can we not make such rash proclamations all the time or is this mandatory Raptor fan behaviour? Do people even have opinions or do you just like to complain?

Sig wrote:

I haven't even given my opinion on this yet. I'm just taking a shot at the general fanbase as it's pretty ludicrous that these mood swings happen at least 48 times a year. On the same topic...

Since I started the thread, I'll assume it is a shot against me.

The point of the forums is discussion, no? I think this is a relevant topic of discussion.

I think your opinion would be valid if people - myself included - were looking to give him a 5 year extension. But the topic of conversation is his third year option. Why not see where this goes? If things go well, great. If things go bad, the team is set for a proper rebuild with someone new in charge.

Colangelo spent 2 years talking about financial flexibility and making big trades only to give away all his financial flexibility and then make a big trade. It has taken him 5 years to start to add serious talent to the roster but he is doing it.

As circumstances change, opinions can and often do change. I don't see a problem with that especially when the ongoing 'building' is starting to finally show signs of progress.